Friday, April 01, 2005

Vatican Health Minister: Pope "About to Die"

Night has fallen in Rome. With a few thousand people (as many as 70,000 earlier) gathered around St. Peter's Square on Friday night, Pope John Paul II's Papacy is coming to a close. The man sometimes referred to as the "Great Communicator" is suffering massive heart problems, breathing difficulties, and kidney failure. Vatican health minister Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan told a Mexican news outlet that the Pope "is about to die," also adding that he had spoken with doctors and "there is no more hope." According to the Associated Press via CBC News Canada:
"This evening or this night, Christ opens the door to the Pope," Angelo Comastri, the Pope's vicar general for Vatican City, told a crowd at St. Peter's Square, where up to 70,000 people prayed and stood vigil in the chilly night. Wrapping themselves in blankets, many tearfully gazed at John Paul's third-floor windows, where the lights remained on early Saturday.

Read more: Vatican says Pope clinging to life after suffering massive heart problems

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Becoming a member of the Catholic community over this past Easter Vigil, I can only thank John Paul II by lifting my prayers to the Lord. My heart has found a connection with God stronger than I thought possible. John Paul II's works drew me to the Church, and I am eternally greatful that I experienced my first week as a Catholic under His earthly guidance.

Rebecca said...

May our Holy Father meet our Lord soon if that is God's will. May we remain faithful to our Lord and our Church and make John Paul II proud of us and of his work in us.

Thank you for your blog - I've said it before, but at times like this it is so good to have somewhere to come and reflect.

Anonymous said...

My heart and prayers go out to people that need to be hurtful and mean in this time of mourning for Christians as well as all faiths.

Anonymous said...

censorship is also a sin.

Jimbo said...

I second that nomination. But Boney, I think you misspoke. I believe you meant to say, "I might go to bed for a few hours while Jimbo KEEPS WATCH."